Letters

February 21, 2003

Supporting Efforts

For Diversity

This letter is in response to an article in The Courant on Feb. 17: ``Democrats Unveil Diversity Initiative.''

I am disappointed in West Hartford Councilman Rob Bouvier's reaction to the initiative designed to increase minority participation on the town's boards and commissions. Creation of a databank of individuals willing to serve is long overdue, and will benefit the town, regardless of what party administers it.

In my position as chair of the West Hartford Conversations on Race Steering Committee, Mayor Jonathan Harris and Councilwoman Maureen McClay have approached me for help in building the databank. Because increasing diversity in town government is an action cited by many who have participated in our project over the last three years, assisting Mr. Harris and Ms. McClay is something our committee and I are more than willing to do.

Last summer, Mayor Harris asked me, an African American, to serve on the investment advisory committee. I gladly accepted the invitation, and was appointed in August 2002.

I believe this initiative should transcend partisan politics, and hope that our elected officials share a similar belief. Increased civic participation should be a goal of both parties.

I thoroughly commend the Republicans for appointing Naogan Ma to the board of education, and recruiting her to run for that position two years ago. I hope that Mr. Bouvier and his Republican colleagues will take a similar approach in the future when addressing issues of diversity within West Hartford, rather than resorting to political theatrics.